Quoting: Swisspred
What would you want for Hayes as a rental / with an agreed extension?
How possible is it that Hayes will stay in New York after signing a 1 year deal who brings him directly to UFA (if I rembember this correctly)
I see him as an interesting top 6 option although I am a bit worried that he has a high contract year and wont live up to a new contract
I mean he is in the middle of a career year, regardless of his contract remaining his value is at its highest it'll be (unless he continues the trend)
For Hayes it would be a 1st and a good prospect. He's on an 82 game pace of 65-70 points, a center that plays in all situations, positive possession metrics on a poor possession team. He brings a lot to the table and especially at the trade deadline as assets go for more than they are really worth (see Hanzal, Grabner, Stasny, Nash, Yandle, etc.)
The real question is, what are cup contenders willing to give up in order to have the best chance to win the cup? The answer is usually a lot.
Now hayes with an extension would cost even more.
This is what rangers fans would want to target from these teams:
WPG: Vesalainen or Roslovic+ (WPG fans say no to both of these but realistically this is what it would take. Its the cost of trying to win a championship, look at how decimated/prospect barren the rangers were before the sell off last year)
Nashville: Tolvanen (he wouldn't be moved) or Fabbro+
Colorado: Makar (he wouldn't be moved), Kaut or Kamenev+
Boston: Vaakanainen
Carolina: Fox+ or Hamilton (albeit hayes would have to sign extension for Hamilton)